Rules and Guidelines

2013

Adult Sponsor Qualified Scientist Designated Supervisor Institutional Review Board (IRB) Scientific Review Committee (SRC)

Oversees project to make sure that student◦ is informed of ISEF Rules and Guidelines◦ is aware of risks associated with project◦ is aware of forms required for project◦ will receive proper supervision during

experimentation◦ if required, submits project to IRB or SRC

Teacher usually serves as Adult Sponsor

Required for some projects Doctoral/professional degree related to

student researchor

Masters degree with SRC approval

Completes Form 2 – QS Form

Animal Care Supervisor for vertebrate animal projects

Supervises projects involving hazardous chemicals, activities or devices

Supervises projects requiring a Qualified Scientist when the Qualified Scientist cannot directly supervise the student

Reviews human participants studies Membership must include:

◦ an educator◦ a school administrator

someone knowledgeable about evaluating physical and/or psychological risk: MD, PA, RN, psychologist, licensed social worker or licensed clinical professional counselor

Reviews some projects before experimentation

Reviews all projects just prior to competition

Membership must include:◦a biomedical scientist (Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., PharmD., D.O.)

◦an educator◦one other member

◦a biomedical scientist (Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., PharmD., D.O.)

◦a school administrator◦an educator◦someone knowledgeable about

evaluating physical and/or psychological risk: MD, PA, RN, psychologist, licensed social worker or licensed clinical professional counselor

For all dates . . .NO cross outs, PLEASE.

A Research Plan is required for all projects. It must incorporate all of the relevant topics listed in the Research Plan Instructions.

Have students use this as a guide to write their plan. Reviewers look for information in this sequence.

Completed by me

Studies conducted at a research institution, industrial setting or any work site other than home, school or field require Form 1C

Project based on prior research in the same field of study

Longitudinal studies are permitted◦ Multi-year study◦ Studies time-based change

Require form 7

Human participants studies involve living individuals where there is

Intervention or interaction with participants

and/or Collection of identifiable private

information

Product testing of a student invention, program, concept, etc.◦No health hazards◦No personal data collected◦Feedback directly related to product

Studies using pre-existing, publicly available human data

Behavioral observations in unrestricted public settings◦ No interaction◦ No manipulation of environment◦ No recording of any personal identifiers

Studies using certified de-identified/ anonymous data

The IRB must review and approve the research plan before experimentation begins

Research participants 18 years of age or older must give informed consent

Research participants under 18 must give assent and their parents may be required to give permission

The IRB evaluates the project and determines◦Risk level◦Requirement for Qualified Scientist

◦Requirement for written informed consent/assent/parental permission

No more than minimal riskAnticipated harm and discomfort notgreater than encountered in daily life

More than minimal riskAnticipated harm or discomfort isgreater than encountered in daily life

More than minimal risk studies should require written consent/assent and parental permission. Final determination for this requirement made by the IRB

Physical risks◦ Exercise◦ Ingestion, tasting, smelling, application of

substances◦ Exposure to potentially hazardous material

Psychological risks Invasion of privacy Participant is a member of an at-risk

group

IRB decisions are documented on Form 4

Completed by SRC

If IRB determines that written informed consent/assent or parental permission is required, documentation is obtained on an “informed consent” document

Why do this? What purpose will the research serve?

Read the research plan guide and answer questions.

Live, nonhuman vertebrate mammalian embryos or fetuses

Bird and reptile eggs within 3 days of hatching

All other nonhuman vertebrates (including fish) at hatching or birth

Zebrafish embryos 7 days (168 hours) post fertilization

Induced toxicity studies involving known toxic substances that could impair health or destroy life

Behavioral experiments with◦ Conditioning using aversive stimuli◦ Mother/infant separation◦ Induced/learned helplessness

Studies of pain Predator/vertebrate prey experiments

Studies designed or anticipated to cause vertebrate animal death are prohibited.

Any deaths must be investigated by a qualified individual

If death was the result of experimental procedure the study must be terminated and the study will not qualify for competition.

There is no interaction with the animals

and There is no manipulation of the

environmentand

All federal or state fish, game and wildlife regulations are followed

School/Home/Field

Regulated Research Institution (must have an IACUC review and approval process)

◦ Universities◦ Government research agencies◦ Private research laboratories

Agricultural, behavioral, observational or supplemental nutritional studies

and Non-invasive and non-intrusive with

no negative effect on animal’s health or well-being

and Require SRC pre-review and approval

SRC determines level of supervision appropriate for the study:◦Designated supervisor◦Veterinarian◦Qualified scientist

Form 5A required

Please note

Must be approved by IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)

Local SRC should review project before experimentation

Experimentation must follow ISEF guidelines

QS completes Form 5B which includes documentation of IACUC approval

Microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.)

Recombinant DNA Human or animal fresh/frozen

tissues, blood or body fluids

Studies must have prior approval by SRC/IACUC/IBC

Most studies are prohibited in a home environment

Studies intended to genetically engineer bacteria with multiple antibiotic resistance are prohibited

Lab studies utilizing MRSA, VRE and KPC must be conducted in a Regulated Research Institution under documented IBC review and approval

Required of all PHBA projects Defines potential level of harm, injury

or disease to plants, animals or humans Involves

◦ Assignment of biological agent to risk group◦ Determination of level of biological

containment◦ Assessment of expertise of adult(s)◦ Assignment of final biosafety level

BSL 1 studies can usually be conducted in a high school or college teaching laboratory. See online checklist.

BSL 2 studies are usually conducted in a regulated research institution

BSL 3 and BSL 4 studies are prohibited for ISEF projects

Form 6A (Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents form) required for most projects involving microorganisms, and for all projects involving rDNA and fresh human and vertebrate animal tissues

Completed by SRC

Studies using baker’s and brewer’s yeast (except rDNA studies)

Studies using Lactobacillus, B. thurgensis, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, oil-eating bacteria, and algae-eating bacteria in natural environment. Not exempt if cultured in a petri dish environment

Studies of mold growth on food items if experiment terminated at first sign of mold

Studies involving protists, archae and similar microorganisms

Research using manure for composting, fuel production, or other non-culturing experiments

Studies using commercially available color change coliform water test kits

Studies involving decomposition of vertebrate organisms (forensic studies)

BSL 1 if◦ Organisms cultured in plastic petri dish◦ Culture dish remains sealed throughout

experiment◦ Culture dish disposed of in appropriate manner

BSL 2 if petri dish is opened

Experiments with BSL 1 organisms can be done in BSL 1 lab with a QS or trained DS

Experiments with BSL 2 organisms must be done in a regulated research institution with a QS

If animal is euthanized solely for student project – vertebrate animal study which requires IACUC approval

If animal is euthanized for a purpose other than student project – tissue study

Classification as BSL 1 or 2 based on source of tissue and possibility of containing infectious agents

All studies with human or wild animal blood are BSL 2. Studies with domestic animal blood are BSL 1.

Studies with human body fluids which can be associated with a person must have IRB approval

◦ Plant tissues◦ Plant and non-primate established cell and

tissue cultures◦ Fresh or frozen meat, meat by-products,

pasteurized milk, eggs – from grocery stores, restaurants, packing houses

◦ Hair◦ Sterilized teeth◦ Fossilized tissue/archeological specimens ◦ Prepared fixed tissue slides

Required for all projects using ◦Fresh/frozen tissue◦Primary cell cultures◦Human and other primate

established cell lines and tissue cultures

◦Blood and blood products◦Body fluids

Chemicals Equipment DEA-Controlled Substances Prescription Drugs Alcohol and Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Radiation

Studies do not require prior SRC review and approval

All studies require a Risk Assessment documented on Form 3

DEA - controlled substances require a Qualified Scientist

All other studies require a Designated Supervisor

DEA-Controlled Substances◦ Consult DEA list of controlled substances◦ All studies require Qualified Scientist◦ Controlled substances on Schedule 1 require

DEA protocol review

Firearms and Explosives◦ Must adhere to local training and

certification requirements ◦ Work in a contained area

◦ Must follow local laws for purchase, possession and consumption

◦ Home production of ethyl alcohol (wine or beer) must follow U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations

◦ Alcohol distillation for fuel production can be conducted at school with TTB permit obtained by school officials

Prescription Drugs◦ Cannot be administered to human subjects◦ Animal administration must follow ISEF

vertebrate animal guidelines

Hazardous Chemicals◦ Refer to MSDS Sheets for safety and

handling guidelines

Hazardous Devices◦ Involve level of risk beyond that encountered

in student’s everyday life

Radiation◦ Non-ionizing◦ Ionizing

Required for all projects involving◦DEA-Controlled Substances◦Prescription Drugs◦Alcohol and Tobacco◦Hazardous Chemicals◦Hazardous Devices◦Hazardous Activities◦Radiation